WASHINGTON (Somaliguardian) – US congresswoman Ilhan Omar is pushing for US pressure on Somalia’s government to hold free and fair elections amid political crisis in the Horn of Africa nation, after opposition boycotted an ongoing “fraudulent” electoral process.
In a hearing of the Congress Foreign Affairs Committee on US-Africa relations this week, Ilhan Omar asked about “US position on trying to pressure the Somali government to engage in a process that allows for proper elections to take place”.
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, said the elections are critical and the US government is engaging all parties in the Horn of Africa nation to ensure that they are completed peacefully.
The United States is also working to help reconfigure the mandate of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia which is due to expire soon and to boost fight against the Al-Qaeda-aligned group Al-Shabaab, she added.
Ilhan Omar chaired a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on US-Africa relations, the Congresswoman tweeted. “Omar asked about the crisis in Ethiopia, next steps following the coup in Sudan and elections in Somalia.”
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